Samsung launched Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra at the San Francisco Unpacked. The Galaxy S26 now starts at $899, S26 Plus jumps to $1,099, while the S26 Ultra holds at $1,299; here’s your ultimate buying guide in the US.

The base Galaxy S26 is a great phone, but that $100 price hike, going from last year’s starting price up to $899, is hard to ignore. The Galaxy S26 Plus is the sleeper pick, but it brings the spending to nearly the Ultra level.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the easiest recommendation if the budget is there. The 200MP camera system, 5,000mAh battery, and 6.9-inch screen with Privacy Display feature represent a premium experience.

Preorder deals close on March 11.

Where to actually buy one

Samsung.com

Samsung is offering the most aggressive straight trade-in values.

• Galaxy S26: up to $500 off with trade-in.
• Galaxy S26 Plus: up to $700 off with trade-in.
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: up to $900 off with trade-in.

Samsung is also bundling free storage upgrades during preorder.

Amazon

Amazon is keeping it simple.

• Galaxy S26 512GB for $899 with a free $100 Amazon gift card.
  Galaxy S26 Plus 512GB for $1,099 with a free $100 gift card.
  Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB for $1,299 with a free $200 gift card.

You also get a free storage upgrade to 512GB.

This is effectively a soft discount; you pay full price upfront, but the gift card offsets future purchases.

Verizon

Verizon is going heavy on “free.”

• Galaxy S26: free with a new line on select unlimited plans.
• Galaxy S26 Plus: free with Unlimited Ultimate or Unlimited Plus, or $10 per month on Unlimited Welcome.
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: free with trade-in and new Unlimited Ultimate plan.

You are committing to premium unlimited plans. If you were already planning to open a new line on Verizon’s higher-tier unlimited plans, this makes sense.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is aggressive for both new and existing customers.

• Galaxy S26: up to $600 off with a new line on select unlimited plans.
• Galaxy S26 Plus: free with trade-in on Experience More, or up to $900 off with a new line.
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: free with trade-in on Experience Beyond, or up to $600 off on most unlimited plans.

The carrier is also offering $40 off Galaxy Buds with pre-order.

T-Mobile tends to reward customers on its higher-tier plans. If you are on Experience Beyond or Experience More, these deals can be genuinely strong.

AT&T

AT&T is keeping the formula familiar.

• Galaxy S26: free with an eligible trade-in and an unlimited plan.
• Galaxy S26 Plus: free with an eligible trade-in in any condition, plus unlimited.
• Galaxy S26 Ultra: free with an eligible trade-in and an unlimited plan.

AT&T is often flexible about device condition, which helps if your old phone has seen better days. But again, you are locking into an unlimited plan commitment.

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